Post by itrainmonkeys on Sept 16, 2013 13:29:12 GMT -5

Not sure how I feel about this.

With "The Killing" newly deceased, "Low Winter Sun" nearly dead on arrival, "Breaking Bad" two episodes from ending and "Mad Men" likely only one season from wrapping, AMC made the world's least shocking announcement on Monday (September 16) morning: The network is beginning development on what is described as a "companion series" to "The Walking Dead."

AMC is shying away from calling the in-development project a "spinoff" and the network is also avoiding a rush-to-air, saying that the companion series isn't expected to premiere until 2015.

Keeping continuity for the companion series, AMC announced that "Walking Dead" comic creator Robert Kirkman and series executive producers Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert will all serve as executive producers.

Quotes from those involved give some indication of what audiences can expect from the companion series, which is still in its initial stages.

"Building on the success of the most popular show on television for adults 18-49 is literally a no-brainer," blurbs Charlie Collier, AMC’s president and general manager. "We look forward to working with Robert, Gale and Dave again as we develop an entirely new story and cast of characters. It’s a big world and we can’t wait to give fans another unforgettable view of the zombie apocalypse."

Adds Kirkman, "After 10 years of writing the comic book series and being so close to the debut of our fourth, and in my opinion, best season of the TV series, I couldn't be more thrilled about getting the chance to create a new corner of 'The Walking Dead' universe. The opportunity to make a show that isn't tethered by the events of the comic book, and is truly a blank page, has set my creativity racing."

As the opening paragraph of this story indicates, AMC is in something of a transitional mode. Its two Emmy-winning landmark shows are in their home stretches and while "Hell on Wheels" has been a surprisingly solid performer on Saturday nights this summer, it's hardly a building block. AMC has already ordered the dramas "Halt & Catch Fire" and "Turn" for 2014 premieres, while the loss of "Breaking Bad" could be lessened with the potential spinoff prequel "Better Call Saul."

That leaves "The Walking Dead," which ranked as the top show on all of TV among adults 18-49 for last season.

Post by Roo'adelphia on Sept 16, 2013 15:39:02 GMT -5

Well, theres alot to cover in a zombie apocalypse. They could of come up with ideas over the seasons that just didnt fit into this particular storyline. I wouldnt want it to include any of the Walking Dead characters we know of now, but a complete new saga wouldnt be a bad thing. Just another zombie show which just so happens to also be created by the same people who made one of the best zombie shows on TV.

Post by whyamistillhere on Oct 14, 2013 7:45:11 GMT -5

Pretty decent premiere for season 4. Nice character development, and new character introduction. From what they were talking about on Talking Dead, it sounds like the show is going to get really dark really quick.

Post by Whoreshack on Oct 14, 2013 9:46:54 GMT -5

I thought this opener was pretty weak: Too many new characters seem like pawns... the sacrificial lamb this episode was blatantly obvious. Raining zombies and falling store displays pinning people have been done before. More commercials than story development. But its bound to get better quick.

Post by Roo'adelphia on Oct 14, 2013 10:41:53 GMT -5

The episode wasn't directly where last season left off (if you didn't watch the Talking Dead after wards it answered alot of questions I about the opener) I think it was nicely done as a "heres where we are episode". Rather then pick up with turmoil and tension between 2 waring groups, they made the prison all warm and cozy. You got to see how the group dynamic changed from the Ricktatorship, as well as focus on building a world rather then surviving one. This had to be the high point of the season being that everyone was all lovey dovey. Relationships will break, people will die we all know that. And as it turns out...

Seems like theirs a bigger threat regarding the virus now. People like the nerdy kid and even the pig in the yard were getting sick and turning. Could have something to do with the decay of the zombies. Looking at them this season their were many of them (specifically the one Rick looked at a few days in a row with bleeding eyes, a few had that feature) that looked very decayed and very skinny. Im guessing the zombies are starving which is making them more aggressive at the fence. (They let us know zombies can starve a few times in the episode just showing severely skinny decayed zombies unresponsive and with Crazy Carie in the woods trying to feed Ed the Head because he was "slowing down" if he didnt get fresh meat.

The EP also said this season was alot about growing up. The kids are just used to chaos and death while the adults who lived before The Turn are still trying to cope. The kids were also naming the Zombies. It would be interesting if the zombies evolve primal instincts and resolve and grow to what the kids make out effectively "people" just trying to get a meal.

Post by jpbrez on Oct 14, 2013 22:45:53 GMT -5

Pretty underwhelmed with season opener, but still interested to see where it's going to go. Given the history of this show it probably won't get good until episode 7 or 8, right before the 3 month hiatus. Hopefully the new showrunner will prove me wrong

Post by smoothaseggs on Oct 14, 2013 23:19:05 GMT -5

The season premiere was perfect in my opinion. Set 7 months after the end of season 3 so there is a sense of security and community among the Woodbury folk and Rick's crew. This first episode has set the entire groundwork for this season. It solidly represented the group as a whole wanting to latch on to any semblance of normalcy while the main players are staying realistic to the situation around them. So many socialistic conflicts were highlighted in this episode that it may have been too much. I think they writers tried to address too many foreshadowed situations in one episode. Episode 2 will make the first episode seem complete. Going to be a heavy season!

Post by whyamistillhere on Nov 11, 2013 14:13:39 GMT -5

I think everyone is coming down off their Breaking Bad high. Comparing any TV show to what is probably the best Drama series ever made is pretty unfair. Is this show on that level? No, not even close, but nevertheless it's still a pretty good show. This season has been pretty good in my opinion. We've had major plot twists in pretty much every episode, we are starting to see what was a small group transform into a community, and the added struggles that come with growing the group. I have been anything but disappointed by season 4 so far.

Post by Boston Powers on Nov 11, 2013 23:35:55 GMT -5

Agreed. They're desperate for a scenery change. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Governor have a hand in overrunning the prison. Maybe the 2nd half of the season can take place ironically in an abandoned Turner Field.

Post by Flanz on Nov 18, 2013 8:40:31 GMT -5

Oh God. You talking "last season" Dexter? Cause if so, that's bad. I've never been so pissed off at a season finale in my life. If it had not been for Breaking Bad, I might have stopped watching TV.

Yeah, I just think that this show is becoming a caricature of itself or something and since they completely diverged from the comics they don't have that loyal fanbase anymore of comic readers wanting to see the graphics brought to life. I actually thought a full Guvnah episode would be good. Whoops.

Post by itrainmonkeys on Nov 18, 2013 9:45:38 GMT -5

I wanted to see the Governor be more of a crazy villain. I don't want to feel sympathy for him after what's already been done. I liked the idea to focus on him for an episode but would have preferred a few different choices.

Post by problem dog on Nov 18, 2013 13:42:59 GMT -5

It was goofy and inconsistently written, but I kind of loved it. This show would probably be better if they attempted episodes like this and Clear a little more often. There's a point in every Walking Dead season where the bickering and tortured Rick sh*t become too much to bear, and I think the show would improve if they didn't need to squeeze the full ensemble into every week. Follow Michonne on a run, and stick with her the full episode. Take an hour to flesh out Tyrese and his sister. That kind of thing.

This episode might not have been the best, and the Governor is still a mess of a character, but I'm glad they're at least trying something new.